Weighting Wednesday With HHWN

Hewitt Health Wellness Network

Enjoying A Healthy Lifestyle with

 Bryant and Anita Hewitt

Wednesday, August 07, 2013

Food To Chew On:

Before It’s Too Late

John 12:37 (NKJV)

But although He had done so many signs before them,

                                 they did not believe in Him…

Thought For The Day:

I will to be willing….

Happy Weighting Wednesday. It’s good using a scale but what is most important is when your clothing is looser, the weight will come off. Please remember that when you are losing weight you are also gaining muscle and muscle is weight, so the best indicator is your clothes!!!

Have a Healthy Wednesday With HHWN J

Ankle Flexibility Exercises For Seniors And The Elderly

Ankle flexibility exercises for seniors and the elderly are important to maintain your balance and stability as you age. Ankle stretches are a vital part of lower body flexibility.

Sitting down is a great position to begin ankle range of motion exercises. Try this next exercise anytime you find yourself sitting for a prolonged period.

   Strong and flexible ankles are necessary to maintain your balance.

One of our first lines of defense against loosing our balance is the stability of our ankles.

When we walk, strong and flexible ankles allow us to maintain control as we push off from one foot to the next and when we stop or change directions. 

Even just standing still, our ankles are working behind the scenes to keep us erect and our center of gravity over our base of support.

Learning how to strengthen and stretch these work horses of our lower body will do wonders for your balance and stability.

The seated ankle circles exercise is a great place to start. Find a nice comfortable chair to begin. Usually a dining room chair works great.

If you sit up tall and try not to lean back during the exercise, it will be easier and less tiring on you hip flexors.

If you cross your legs, make sure they are lightly crossed so as not to cut off circulation to your foot.

Why Baby Boomers Are Addicted to Elliptical Trainers

Upper Body Workout – A further benefit of an elliptical trainer is the fact that you can simultaneously workout both your upper and lower body.  There are few exercises that allow this “cross training”. For many, this is a very important feature because they tend to focus on a cardio workout that only exercises  the lower muscles.   Neglecting the other half of their body.

 With the use of movable handlebars that move in coordination with the elliptical stride, you body works a variety of upper and lower body muscles.  Studies have shown that this dual action can burn calories more efficiently and in less time.  However, it is important that during your workout you  put a concerted effort into the resistance of the upper body.  Many users exert most of the action through their lower body, letting their upper body just go through the motions.

Not too many years ago when you went to your local health club the majority of cardio equipment were treadmills.  These days you will probably find an equal number of treadmills and elliptical trainers.  In addition, you will find many of the elliptical users are part of the baby boomer generation.  Elliptical trainers are allowing people of all ages to continue an aggressive cardio workout while reducing the stress and strain to their body.

A Healthy Menu For

WEDNESDAY

Whole grain foods help people feel full longer, says the American Academy of Family Physicians. They recommend foods with three or more grams of fiber per serving. One cup cooked oatmeal with 2 tbsp. of raisins and 1 cup skim milk is a high fiber, whole grain breakfast. A whole grain lunch includes 2 Ryvita crackers with 2 tbsp. of peanut butter and 2 cups of cantaloupe. A light yogurt with 1/4 cup unsweetened whole grain cereal is a high protein, fiber-containing afternoon snack. For dinner dieters may enjoy 3 oz. of broiled chicken with 1/2 cup cooked quinoa, 10 asparagus spears and a tossed salad with low-fat salad dressing. Six cups of air-popped popcorn are a great way to the end the day.